Comment by nickserv
2 days ago
I went with LDE Neon for both my kids. It's also what I use, I really like the KDE ecosystem, very polished experience overall.
Also it's similar enough to Windows that they don't feel completely out of touch on the school computers.
Killer app is Krita for the older one, even got him a cheap Wacom later on.
Otherwise school work, native Linux games, and YouTube. That last one with the younger one I have to keep an eye on. Honestly thinking about blocking access, we'll see.
Both like gaming, so I set up wine for them on my machine with separate accounts. Learning about email, downloads, files and folders by installing Skyrim mods (using kid friendly settings on Nexus), also an exercise in managing frustration...
Anyway everyone will be different, just set up something they'll enjoy. Already for a kid to know Linux exists is a head start.
Seconding “YouTube ban.” I do it now at the network level. If at some point they alter parental controls to allow list channels I would consider adding it back, but the sheer quantity put forth onto the platform makes it impossible for any parent to moderate (or moderate effectively).
At least with streaming a TV show or movie there are defined breaks instead of an endless array of kid dopamine
Do you block it with openwrt? Any good packages?
Yes, that's what I'm thinking of doing, blocking directly on the router.
It was somewhat manageable before with proper education (teaching them what to avoid, time limiting), but now with shorts and AI it's becoming a cesspool.
The main reason I allow it is to show them the dangers of it, of knowing to be careful. Otherwise I feel like as soon as they get access, they'll be completely unprepared... and of course as they get older they will definitely get access.